Welcome to Our Class! It's great to have you as a part of this adventure in learning. The whole idea for this class comes from a series of classes begun several years ago by librarians to help librarians get acquainted with the new tools that are available on the web. It was called 23 Things ( we'll limit ours to about 19). The work was donated to Creative Commons and now can be adapted by others throughout the world.
The class will work like this. There will be lessons for exploration and the explorations will include lots of tools. Some of you are in the class for the second time and can go deeper into the tools that interest you. Some of you are novices. Not all tools will be relevant to the students or subject that you teach. The key to all of this is the exploration. It is my goal for you to become comfortable with whatever tools you choose. AT YOUR OWN PACE AND LEVEL OF EXPERTISE, you will explore the Tools, complete a short project using the tools, and then share the results on the blog that you will keep. If you are taking this class to get points toward your certification, you can earn up to 33 points ; each task will be worth 3 points, one for the time you put in to explore the topic, one for your completed project, and one for your blog entry. All work must be completed by August 15 in order to qualify for certification points. Throughout the summer all of us will communicate via email and or blogs. It's an exciting way to build your own Professional Learning Community. There are many different Professional Learning Communities reaching across schools, districts, states, and globally. My own Professional Learning Community consists of colleagues, bloggers whose ideas I read regularly, and contacts that I have made at conferences and on Twitter. Here's a definition of a Professional Learning Community.
While the "Things" will be posted, feel free to move through them at your own speed. You don't have to take them in order. However, as I edit each one I will contact you via gmail to let you know a task has been posted. I encourage you to develop the habit of spending 15 minutes each day "playing" with technology. Familiarizing yourself with things in short bursts is always a good way to learn. If you have questions, begin to explore ways of answering them by empowering yourself. Email someone in the class and work together, Google by using the topic and adding the word tutorial to the end of it and see what is out there to help yourself or email or arrange to Skype or chat with me. Some people will be on campus to help you as well.
Don't panic! Help is just a click or two away. You will get all kinds of results often including videos for those of you who prefer that style of learning and step by step black and white for those of you who prefer that kind of learning.
CD McClean has provided LibGuides for some of your classes but there is an awesome site that uses Glogster and provides how to's for many of the tools we will use. If you need help on using a tool, go to the Springfield Township Virtual Library site first.
One of the topics we will talk about in class is 21st Century Learning. Here's a site where you can see a video and search videos that show teachers teaching different topics in a way that includes the skills that are necessary for the students who will enter the workforce in this century.
On June 8 we will set up blogs and learn about topics related to blogging. There are many lists of top educational blogs. Pick a few to follow to give you ideas.Try to use the gadgets (instructions are in your handout) to add two or three educational blogs to your class blog.
Web 2.0 Tools You Can Use!
Welcome to Our Class! It's great to have you as a part of this adventure in learning. The whole idea for this class comes from a series of classes begun several years ago by librarians to help librarians get acquainted with the new tools that are available on the web. It was called 23 Things ( we'll limit ours to about 19). The work was donated to Creative Commons and now can be adapted by others throughout the world.
The class will work like this. There will be lessons for exploration and the explorations will include lots of tools. Some of you are in the class for the second time and can go deeper into the tools that interest you. Some of you are novices. Not all tools will be relevant to the students or subject that you teach. The key to all of this is the exploration. It is my goal for you to become comfortable with whatever tools you choose. AT YOUR OWN PACE AND LEVEL OF EXPERTISE, you will explore the Tools, complete a short project using the tools, and then share the results on the blog that you will keep. If you are taking this class to get points toward your certification, you can earn up to 33 points ; each task will be worth 3 points, one for the time you put in to explore the topic, one for your completed project, and one for your blog entry. All work must be completed by August 15 in order to qualify for certification points. Throughout the summer all of us will communicate via email and or blogs. It's an exciting way to build your own Professional Learning Community. There are many different Professional Learning Communities reaching across schools, districts, states, and globally. My own Professional Learning Community consists of colleagues, bloggers whose ideas I read regularly, and contacts that I have made at conferences and on Twitter. Here's a definition of a Professional Learning Community.
While the "Things" will be posted, feel free to move through them at your own speed. You don't have to take them in order. However, as I edit each one I will contact you via gmail to let you know a task has been posted. I encourage you to develop the habit of spending 15 minutes each day "playing" with technology. Familiarizing yourself with things in short bursts is always a good way to learn. If you have questions, begin to explore ways of answering them by empowering yourself. Email someone in the class and work together, Google by using the topic and adding the word tutorial to the end of it and see what is out there to help yourself or email or arrange to Skype or chat with me. Some people will be on campus to help you as well.
Don't panic! Help is just a click or two away. You will get all kinds of results often including videos for those of you who prefer that style of learning and step by step black and white for those of you who prefer that kind of learning.
CD McClean has provided LibGuides for some of your classes but there is an awesome site that uses Glogster and provides how to's for many of the tools we will use. If you need help on using a tool, go to the Springfield Township Virtual Library site first.
One of the topics we will talk about in class is 21st Century Learning. Here's a site where you can see a video and search videos that show teachers teaching different topics in a way that includes the skills that are necessary for the students who will enter the workforce in this century.
Here are two more relevant videos..
The Essence of Connected Learning from DML Research Hub on Vimeo.
Here are more resources.
Jane Hart
Today's Learners
NPR Review of Larry Rosen--Rewired
Articles about Rewired
New York Times article
The Committed Sardine Blog--Ian Jukes' comments on current trends in technology
On June 8 we will set up blogs and learn about topics related to blogging. There are many lists of top educational blogs. Pick a few to follow to give you ideas.Try to use the gadgets (instructions are in your handout) to add two or three educational blogs to your class blog.
Topics we might explore will be
Why in the World Should I Change?
Visual Learning Tools
Voice and Pictures--A Powerful Combination
Flickr and Flickr toys/Creative Commons
Online Writing tools
Digital Storytelling
Collaborative tools
Glogster and Google
Your Toolbelt
PLN and odds and ends
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